• Po-Chun Lin, Yu-Ping Chang, Yi-Lung Chen, and Cheng-Fang Yen.
• Department of Psychiatry, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Sep 5.

Background/PurposeLoneliness is prevalent among gay and bisexual men (GBM). This study evaluated the mediating effect of loneliness on the associations of perceived sexual stigma (PSS) and internalized sexual stigma (ISS) with suicide in 400 GBM.MethodsA moderated mediation model was used to test the mediating effects of loneliness between the associations of PSS from family members and ISS with suicide and the moderating effects of sexual orientation, age, and education level on the mediating effects.ResultsThe results indicated that both PSS and ISS were positively associated with suicide through the full mediation of loneliness. The association of ISS with loneliness was stronger in older GBM.ConclusionsIntervention programs promoting changes in attitudes toward GBM are warranted to prevent the development of PSS and ISS, loneliness, and suicide in this population.Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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